Patent US3265426A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3650263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Monitoring system
Assignee: GE Medical Systems Information Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1969-11-03
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Granted: 1972-03-21
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Expires: 1989-11-03
Abstract
Abstract The electrocardiographic signals are continuously recorded along a track on an endless magnetic tape within the portable magnetic tape recorder as the subject goes about his normal activities so that the most recently occurring electrocardiographic signals are always on the tape unless the frequency of the QRS complex signals departs from a range previously set into an electronic range detector, in which case the motor is stopped after a predetermined time delay that causes the tap to contain the signals occurring prior to the time of the departure from the range on half of the tape and the signals occurring after the departure from the range on the other half of the tape. An audible alarm is sounded when the motor stops so that the subject may change magnetic tapes and may make a note of his activities at the time the ORS complex signals departed from the range set on the detector.
Inventors
- 👤 William W Kowalski
- 👤 James R Ricketts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:36
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/333; A61B5/336
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of monitoring an electrical representation of the heartbeat obtained from an ambulatory subject comprising steps of: continuously recording a characteristic of the heartbeat representation on a recording medium of predetermined capacity carried on the subject; continuously erasing the recording of the characteristic from the medium as new heartbeat characteristic information is recorded so that the medium contains a recording of the most recent characteristic within the capacity of the recording medium; detecting an abnormality in the heartbeat from the electrical representation and stopping said recording a fixed period of time after said abnormality occurs, the fixed period of time being less than the capacity of the medium so as to preserve a portion of the characteristic recording both before and after the occurrence of the abnormality; and thereafter actuating an alarm near said subject.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
A method of monitoring an electrical representation of the heartbeat obtained from an ambulatory subject comprising steps of: continuously recording a characteristic of the heartbeat representation on a recording medium of predetermined capacity carried on the subject; continuously erasing the recording of the characteristic from the medium as new heartbeat characteristic information is recorded so that the medium contains a recording of the most recent characteristic within the capacity of the recording medium; detecting an abnormality in the heartbeat from the electrical representation and stopping said recording a fixed period of time after said abnormality occurs, the fixed period of time being less than the capacity of the medium so as to preserve a portion of the characteristic recording both before and after the occurrence of the abnormality; and thereafter actuating an alarm near said subject.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of recording the characteristic is further defined as recording the characteristic on a track of a moving endless tape, said track having a predetermined capacity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the step of actuating an alarm includes the step of actuating an alarm after the recording has stopped and the method further includes the steps of providing an additional recording medium and reinitiating the recording on the additional recording medium to repeat the operation after the alarm has been actuated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the step of recording a characteristic includes the steps of: moving a magnetic tape at a speed of less than 1 7/8 inches per second with respect to a recording head; establishing a carrier signal of predetermined frequency; modulating the frequency of the carrier signal in accordance with the characteristic of the heartbeat representation; and supplying the frequency modulated signal to said recording head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said electrical representation includes the heartbeat rate and wherein the step of detecting an abnormality includes the step of detecting from said electrical representation The departure of the rate of said heartbeat from a predetermined range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 2 in which the step of actuating an alarm includes the step of sounding an audible alarm and the method further includes the steps of providing another endless tape and reinitiating the recording on the second endless tape to repeat the operation after the alarm has been actuated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 in which the step of detecting an abnormality includes the step of indicating on the recording medium when an abnormality is detected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5 in which the step of detecting an abnormality includes the step of varying the limits of the predetermined range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
73 words
A method according to claim 1 including the step of manually initiating a stopping of the recording in the event an abnormality is not detected and stopping said recording a fixed period of time after initiation, the fixed period of time being less than the capacity of the recording medium so as to preserve a portion of the characteristic recording both before and after initiation, and thereafter actuating the alarm near said subject.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 including the additional step of playing back the recording and perceiving the characteristic of the heartbeat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein the step of continuously recording is further defined as simultaneously recording a characteristic of the heartbeat representation and reference timing signals on tracks of a moving endless tape and the step of playing back the recording is further defined as regulating the movement of the endless tape during playback by means of the reference timing signals.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein the step of playing back the recording is further defined as altering the perception of the characteristic of the heartbeat by means of the reference timing signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
166 words
A portable tape recorder for monitoring the heartbeat of a subject, said recorder being connectable to electrode means adapted to obtain an electrical representation of the subject''s heartbeat and comprising: a casing supportable from the body of the subject; a recorder held within the casing and couplable to said electrode means, said recorder including: an endless recording tape; drive means for engaging and moving said endless recording tape; recording means for recording a characteristic of the electrical representation obtained on said electrode means onto said endless tape as it moves so that said tape always contains the most recently received characteristic of the heartbeat recorded upon it; detector means responsive to the electrical representation obtained on said electrode means for detecting when said heart beat becomes abnormal; a drive means control, coupled to said detector means, for stopping said drive means a predetermined time after said detector means detects said abnormality; and alarm means, responsive to said detector means, for providing an indication to the subject.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
166 words
A portable tape recorder for monitoring the heartbeat of a subject, said recorder being connectable to electrode means adapted to obtain an electrical representation of the subject''s heartbeat and comprising: a casing supportable from the body of the subject; a recorder held within the casing and couplable to said electrode means, said recorder including: an endless recording tape; drive means for engaging and moving said endless recording tape; recording means for recording a characteristic of the electrical representation obtained on said electrode means onto said endless tape as it moves so that said tape always contains the most recently received characteristic of the heartbeat recorded upon it; detector means responsive to the electrical representation obtained on said electrode means for detecting when said heart beat becomes abnormal; a drive means control, coupled to said detector means, for stopping said drive means a predetermined time after said detector means detects said abnormality; and alarm means, responsive to said detector means, for providing an indication to the subject.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 20 in which said alarm means includes a means for providing an audible alarm after the drive means has stopped.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
46 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 in which the electrode means obtains an electrical signal representing the QRS complex of the subject''s heartbeat, said recorder including an FM modulator means in said recording means couplable to said electrode means for frequency modulating said signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 which the electrode means obtains an electrical representation including the subject''s heartbeat rate and said detector means includes means for determining when the frequency of the electrical representation departs from a predetermined range.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
136 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 16 in which the electrode obtains an electrical signal representing the frequency of the subject''s heartbeat and said detEctor means comprises: signal processor means for providing a DC-output signal that varies in proportion to the frequency of the electrode means electrical signal; first and second adjustable means for providing first and second DC reference potentials establishing thereinbetween a range of voltages representing normal values of said DC-output signal; and a comparator for comparing said DC-output signal from said signal processor means with said DC reference potentials and providing a trigger signal for actuating said drive means control to initiate stoppage of said drive means whenever said DC-output signal from said signal processor means does not have an amplitude that is between the amplitudes of said two DC reference potentials.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 in which said drive means is adapted to receive a replaceable endless recording tape.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 in which said drive means control includes a drive means stopping circuit and a time delay, said time delay being connected between said detector means and said drive means stopping circuit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 in which said alarm means includes means providing an audible signal upon the application of alternating voltage thereto, a circuit means for generating an alternating voltage and applying said alternating voltage to said audible signal means, and an electronic switch means for disabling said circuit means while said electronic switch means is receiving a voltage, said electronic switch means being electrically connected to said drive means for receiving a voltage therefrom while said drive means running, thereby to disable said circuit means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 wherein said detector means is coupled to said recording means for providing an indication on said tape when said heartbeat becomes abnormal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 16 wherein said detector means includes means for varying the limits of the predetermined range.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 including means actuable by the subject and electrically connected to said drive means control for stopping said drive means a predetermined time after actuation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 13 including a reference recording means for recording reference timing signals on said endless recording tape.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A portable tape recorder according to claim 24 wherein said reference recording means includes oscillator means for recording reference timing signals of a predetermined frequency on said endless recording tape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-03-21 | 1975-09-20 | 1976-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-03-21 | 1979-09-20 | 1980-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-03-21 | 1983-09-20 | 1984-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |